Benign prostatic hyperplasia and cancer of the prostate

To refresh our memories, I did say last week that causes of BPH included among other things, increased acidity in the environment of the prostate gland and increased the concentration of androgens in the prostate gland. There is one more and that is the case of oestrogen production in men. Oestrogen is a female hormone, but men usually produce small amounts of it which in the presence of optimal levels of testosterone causes no harm. However, it is believed that in old age as levels of testosterone begin to drop oestrogen starts to cause a proliferation of the cells of the prostate with enlargement of the gland.

Diagnosis of BPH

Whenever you find any of the symptoms of BPH as shown above it is time to see your doctor. A combination of the symptoms, the doctor’s findings from a Digital Rectal Examination and an elevated PSA may be sufficient to make a diagnosis of BPH. PSA, Protein-Specific Antigen is a protein produced by the prostate cells and is usually elevated in BPH and prostate cancer.
Treatment

In alternative medicine and concerning the chronic degenerative diseases, dehydration and acid waste accumulation are constant features. These must, therefore, be addressed whenever treatment is to be carried out. Water, alkaline water is usually given to rehydrate and to begin to eliminate the acidic wastes. Not only that rehydrating the body also helps to build up the immune system, which becomes depressed in dehydration. To further build up the immune system the individual will have to embark upon a diet change. The diet has to be mainly vegetables, fruits and whole grains and avoid processed and refined foods like white flower products, white sugar, polished rice and white salt. Also to be avoided are carbonated beverages, alcohol and MSG products.

Supplementation is an integral part of management in alternative medicine. Supplements that should be used for BPH include natural testosterone which should balance the oestrogen, immune boosters and others that are specific and essential for the health of the prostate.
PROSTATE CANCER

Cancer of the prostate gland is a slow-growing adenocarcinoma that is more commonly seen in men as they advance in age. An adenocarcinoma is a cancer that originates from the cells that line organs like the skin, cavities and organs in the body. The prostate gland, as I defined last week, is a walnut-sized organ that is located in front of the rectum and under the bladder in men. It completely envelops the first few centimeters of the urethra as it proceeds from the bladder.
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

In the early stages, prostate cancer may not present any signs and symptoms. Prostate cancer may be found out by PSA or DRE [Digital Rectal Examination]. The signs and symptoms of prostate cancer are not too different from those of Benign Prostate Hypertrophy and are usually due to pressure effect of an enlarged prostate gland on the urethra and the bladder. The outcome of this is that the passage of urine may become more difficult and painful.

The signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include; frequency of urination, urinating more frequently at night [nocturia], delayed starting of urinating and difficulty stopping with dribbling of urine. Other symptoms are weak stream of urine, feeling of not having emptied the bladder completely, blood in the urine, pain while urinating, painful ejaculation and inability to urinate which maybe acute and later chronic.
Risk factors associated with prostate cancer

Apart from the dehydration/acid accumulation theory of the formation of cancers generally, mention has to be made of certain risk factors that are associated with cancer of the prostate. These are;

Age

Prostate cancer risk increases as men grow older. Commonly found in men of 65 years and above. Prostate cancer is rare in men of 50 years and below.

Family History

Prostate cancer is more frequently found in men whose first-degree relatives were diagnosed of prostate cancer. A man whose father or brother had it is more likely to have prostate cancer.

African Ancestry

It is said that African men have 60% higher likelihood of developing prostate cancer than Caucasians. They are also more likely to be diagnosed of cancer at a younger age.

Others

High calcium intake, high-fat diet, inherited gene mutation and exposure to pesticides.